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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Tseg on Sat, 06 January 2024, 21:36:47

Title: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Tseg on Sat, 06 January 2024, 21:36:47: In the interest of exposing myself to the diversity of keyboards, today a Cannonkeys Vicious40 arrived at my house. I doubt it will become a primary use board, but I would like to experiment more with layers. It is also my first solder PCB… my lead solder arrives tomorrow. I also got a new keycap set to accommodate the triple spacebar set and some of the other unique sized keys.

There is less than a handful of reviews on this board, and few on 40% boards in general. Even on the Cannonkeys discord gallery, out of hundred of photos of completed boards, only 2 were of this 40%. With that said, all of the few reviews provide glowing remarks. I guess I’ll soon find out what a PITA layers for a 40% really are to use.

Anyone really smitten with 40% boards here?
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: El Kinoflop on Sun, 07 January 2024, 02:21:59: There are loads of us who exclusively use 40% boards. The Vicious40 is a great choice. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to create and learn your own mapping. There's a 40s discord discord.gg/40percent
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Tseg on Sun, 07 January 2024, 04:49:09: Awesome. Thanks for the tip on the discord site.
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Tseg on Sun, 07 January 2024, 17:23:28: My solder arrived today and other than having to re-solder 3 keys to get them to work properly, all went flawless in the assembly. I like how the 2 spacebars are already set up as SpaceFN1 and SpaceFN2 keys if I hold them down to get to the other layers. This board will take some getting used to but I can already see the advantages. I put in Gateron King Oils since I swapped them out for tactiles on my TKL board. I did a tape mod, a break mod and put in the polyfill. The board is quiet, tight and solid. Very deep thocc. I like it a lot.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449638296_ebcdfb8f49_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Rhienfo on Mon, 08 January 2024, 00:41:33: Quote from: Tseg on Sun, 07 January 2024, 17:23:28
My solder arrived today and other than having to re-solder 3 keys to get them to work properly, all went flawless in the assembly. I like how the 2 spacebars are already set up as SpaceFN1 and SpaceFN2 keys if I hold them down to get to the other layers. This board will take some getting used to but I can already see the advantages. I put in Gateron King Oils since I swapped them out for tactiles on my TKL board. I did a tape mod, a break mod and put in the polyfill. The board is quiet, tight and solid. Very deep thocc. I like it a lot.

Show Image
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449638296_ebcdfb8f49_c.jpg)

What an interesting layout, I don't really see that. I see a lot of 60% style 40s without the numrow obviously, like the tmo which looks really cool (and I probably would prefer that layout over this one)

Hope you enjoy the keyboard :)
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Tseg on Mon, 08 January 2024, 14:46:48: Quote from: Rhienfo on Mon, 08 January 2024, 00:41:33

What an interesting layout, I don't really see that. I see a lot of 60% style 40s without the numrow obviously, like the tmo which looks really cool (and I probably would prefer that layout over this one)

Hope you enjoy the keyboard :)

I suppose the TMO would be an option if you wanted a bigger 50% and wanted to spend more and wanted to back in time when they were available. It is a bit apples to oranges. The real benefit with this board is all keys are ergonomically accessa
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Rhienfo on Mon, 08 January 2024, 20:28:21: Quote from: Tseg on Mon, 08 January 2024, 14:46:48
I suppose the TMO would be an option if you wanted a bigger 50% and wanted to spend more and wanted to back in time when they were available. It is a bit apples to oranges. The real benefit with this board is all keys are ergonomically accessa

wdym by acessible, it does seem similar to a lot of 40s layout (but with an arrow cluster which I don't really see on 40s)

Also the reason why I mentioned the tmo is because it's getting a v3 which is pretty cool, so you don't need to buy it aftermarket or travel back in time lol.
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Tseg on Tue, 09 January 2024, 15:55:28: Quote from: Rhienfo on Mon, 08 January 2024, 20:28:21

wdym by acessible, it does seem similar to a lot of 40s layout (but with an arrow cluster which I don't really see on 40s)

Also the reason why I mentioned the tmo is because it's getting a v3 which is pretty cool, so you don't need to buy it aftermarket or travel back in time lol.

I was not aware a v3 was in the works... in fact the only reference I found to it on the whole web was you making another reference too it on a different post on GH. Nonetheless, I meant the left hand function keys on the TMO either make you move your left hand off its resting spot or drastically stretch your pinky finger. With the Vicious, I can easily reach all keys even as my pointer fingers remain on F and J. Accessing 4 layers (including Layer 0) via a simple thumb press on a space bar is also very handy. But I ain't gonna lie, after a few days with this board, it still is a bit of effort to efficiently try to use it at work with a spreadsheet. It will be interesting to see how typing numbers in layers gets seamlessly built into my muscle memory. It currently remains a bit clumsy typing lots of number strings.
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: El Kinoflop on Tue, 09 January 2024, 16:27:42: If you've got a numrow mapped and you're not getting on with it then try mapping a numpad instead (or as well).
Title: Re: Bought my first 40%
Post by: Tseg on Wed, 10 January 2024, 05:49:47: Quote from: El Kinoflop on Tue, 09 January 2024, 16:27:42
If you've got a numrow mapped and you're not getting on with it then try mapping a numpad instead (or as well).
Good tip. Let me try.